Jvaris Mama church, Tbilisi, Orthodox church in Old Town, Georgia
Jvaris Mama is a church building in the heart of Tbilisi's old quarter, constructed with stone walls and designed in a cross shape. The interior walls and ceiling are covered with frescoes in red, gold, and blue, filling the sacred space with color and ornamental detail.
The building dates from the 16th century and replaces an earlier religious structure that had occupied the same location since the 5th century. This continuity shows how the site remained dedicated to worship across more than a thousand years of history.
The church forms part of daily religious life in the old quarter and draws both pilgrims and visitors wanting to experience Georgian Orthodox faith and practice. Its interior with painted surfaces creates a space where believers and travelers alike encounter the artistic craftsmanship and spiritual role that defines the community.
The church is located at a street intersection in the old quarter and remains open daily for visitors to enter. When visiting, please dress appropriately according to Orthodox custom and show respect for the active religious space.
During Soviet times, the building unusually served as a storage warehouse for books and was only returned to religious use in 1989. This unexpected purpose became part of its story and reflects how the city's buildings changed across the decades.
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